Want to dress up your Christmas wreath or create a centerpiece for your holiday party that will turn heads? Look no further than your backyard.

That’s where designer Randy Ouzts heads for inspiration.

From bright red nandina berries to showy magnolia leaves, you can create a fabulous wreath for your front door.

Ouzts starts with a plain store bought wreath and then attaches his other accents with wire.

The owner of Climbing the Walls, he recently relocated his shop to the Robinwood Road area in Gastonia and hopes to begin teaching “how to” classes next year.

So grab some clippers and head to the yard… here are some of his suggestions for decorating your wreath.

WHAT WORKS

Yellow cedar

Hemlock

Pine cones

Magnolia leaves

Indian Hawthorne

Camellia

Juniper

Rosemary

WHAT DOESN’T

Azaelias

Ferns

GET BOXED IN

Boxwood wreaths are favorites of Ouzts. “They last a long time.”

MAKE IT LAST

Don’t suffer the wrath of wreaths

*Don’t put in direct sun

*Mist frequently

RE-PURPOSE THEM

Once you’ve enjoyed your wreath outside, you can bring it inside for your New Year’s celebration. Put in the middle of your dining room table and put a potted camellia or other bloom in the middle. You can even spray paint your boxwood wreath silver, for that shimmering New Year’s feel.